Thursday, January 17, 2013

Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez is accused of trying to assassinate President Barack Obama.

Attorneys representing an Idaho man, accused of trying to assassinate President Barack Obama by shooting at the White House in November 2011, are trying to get their client's statements to law enforcement thrown out of court.

In court documents filed on Wednesday, lawyers for Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez said their client's statements "were coerced," adding that he was "handcuffed to a chair for two hours following his arrest." Attorneys also said they have yet to find any document that says Ortega-Hernandez agreed to waive his rights and talk to authorities.

Ortega-Hernandez has pleaded not guilty.

He is accused of opening fire on the executive mansion with a semi-automatic weapon on Nov. 11, 2011. Obama was away from the White House at the time.

Originally from Idaho Falls, Ortega-Hernandez has a background of legal problems and "a history of aberrant behavior," according to federal prosecutors. He had been reported missing for nearly a month by his family.

Sgt. David Schlosser of the U.S. Park Police said Ortega-Hernandez had criminal records in Idaho, Texas and Utah, including drug usage, underage drinking, domestic violence, resisting arrest and assault of a police officer.